And that meant that Lucas Viatri's late penalty was merely a consolation for Shanghai Shenhua, who saw their opponents leapfrog them as a result.

It was the only match played on Thursday, with the competition's other 14 sides in action on Wednesday.

Three-time defending champions Guangzhou Evergrande extended their lead atop the division to seven points with a 2-1 win at Dalian Aerbin.

Guangzhou – who will have one eye on their AFC Champions League quarter-final against Western Sydney Wanderers later this month – won thanks to a second-half brace from Italy forward Alberto Gilardino.

Bruno Meneghel's 64th-minute effort sandwiched two goals from Gilardino, who joined from Genoa last month, as Marcello Lippi's men moved closer to a fourth successive title.

Guangzhou's cause was greatly aided by the second-placed Beijing Guoan, who slipped up 3-1 at Sven-Goran Eriksson's Guangzhou R and F.

Abderrazak Hamdallah and Jiang Ning gave Guangzhou a two-goal lead and although Ha Dae-Sung's response set up a nervy finish, Aaron Olanare came off the bench to settle the contest in injury time.

Guangzhou R and F now sit just four points behind Beijing Guoan in second.

Guizhou Renhe won their fourth match in a row as goals from Hyuri and Zhang Chenglin gave them a 2-1 triumph over Hangzhou.

At the other end of the table, the two clubs stuck in the relegation zone – Liaoning Whowin and Harbin Yiteng – played out a 2-2 draw.

James Chamanga's 95th-minute leveller rescued a point for Liaoning, who have not won since May.

Harbin remain four points adrift at the foot of the table but have lost just one of their last five – to giants Guangzhou Evergrande.